Liquid overflow control for domestic appliance



' Dec. 23, 1958 J. O. BOWEN ETAL LIQUID OVERFLOW CONTROL FOR DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Nov. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .ZEYZEHZUFE (/QWZEJ 3024 6)! jl/armazz fl fey/710112 Dec. 23, 1958 J. o. BOWEN ET AL 2,855,390

LIQUID OVERFLOW CONTROL FOR DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Nov. 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ZEYZEJZZUFE J1me: B01001 War/rill! fl Ja Maz/r LIQUID OVERFLOW CUNTROL FOR DOMESTIC APPLIAN CE James 0. Bowen, Benton Harbor, and Norman D. Seymoor, St. Joseph, Mich., assignors to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application November 5, 1956, Serial No. 620,388

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-438) The present invention relates to improvements in washing machines and more particularly to an improved overflow control device which prevents the overflow of a washing liquid from a washing machine by permitting the escape of liquid above a predetermined level, but which prevents the escape of suds from the washing chamber.

Washing machines of various types for washing fabrics and the like are generally filled to a predetermined level with a washing liquid, such as water, which is mixed with a sudsing material, such as detergent or soap. During the period of agitation in which the washing liquid is brought into washing contact to remove the soils from the material being washed, the suds are increased and will continue to float on top of the washing liquid.

It is generally desirable to have the washing liquid at a predetermined level in the Washing chamber andfrequently this level is automatically controlled by providing a shut-off device which will automatically terminate the admission of washing liquid when the proper level is reached. To prevent the liquid from reaching too great a depth in the washing chamber or from overflowing the top of the chamber, whether the chamber is filled automatically or by other means, the present invention contemplates the provision of an overflow preventing device that will permit the washing liquid to escape from the washing chamber when it reaches a predetermined level. The overflow device, however, will prevent the escape of the suds, which reach a level within the washing chamber higher than that permitted for the liquid, from the chamber.

it is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an overflow control device which will permit the escape of washing liquid from a washing chamber, but which will prevent the escape of suds from the chamber regardless of the suds level.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved overflow control device for a washing machine which is effective and reliable and which may be used to accurately control the level of washing fluid within a washing chamber without permitting the escape of suds or steam from the washer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an overflow control device of an improved design which is simple and durable, and which can be economically manufactured, which will not interfere with the normal operation of the machine, which does not require a complicated control system, and which cannot be damaged or accidentally disassembled during shipping or handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved overflow control device for a washing machine, wherein the parts are not effected by the washing liquid, soap, detergent or corrosive materials.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent in the following disclosure of the preferred em bodiment of the invention in the specification, claims and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a domestic laundry machine embodying the preferred form of the 2,fi,39fl Patented Dec. 23, 195% invention and having a portion broken away to illustrate the operation of the overflow control;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the overflow control device and illustrating a preferred form of construction.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, vertical, detailed, sectional view illustratmg the suds overflow control device as operative in combination with a washing chamber; and

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the overflow control device with portions of the device broken away to show the interior construction thereof.

Although the elements described as illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in the preferred environment and combination, it will be understood that the various features may be used in other constructions taking advantage of their particular objectives and attributes.

In Figure 1 a laundry machine is shown at 6 which may be of the domestic or commercial type for washing fabrics, garments, or the like. The washing machine has a tank or container 8, which provides a washing chamber 1t} and is provided with a washing fluid for that purpose. The washing fluid will generally be water, if used in a domestic type washer, but the invention is not necessarily to be restricted to use with one type of liquid.

The fabrics or materials to be washed. are carried, during the washing operation, in a rotating cylindrical drum 12, which is provided with openings 14 to admit washing liquid into the lower portion of the drum. The drum is provided with an axial hub 16 on each end and the hubs are supported in bearings 20 carried on the side walls 22 and 24 of the washing container which defines the chamber 10.

During operation, the drum 12 is rotated for this purpose, a V-pulley 26 is connected to a shaft 28 secured to the hub 16 at the end of the drum. The pulley 26 is driven in rotation by a V-belt 39, which is passed over the drive pulley 32 mounted on the drive shaft of a ro tational drive motor 34. Suitable controls are provided for operating the motor and the drum is thus turned in rotation to tumble the clothes in contact with the washing fluid within the chamber 10.

The rotation of the washing chamber 12 will cause an increase in the amount of suds 36 which float on the surface of the Washing fluid, which, for purposes of the present description, may be referred to as water. The suds are supplied by a soap or detergent placed in the water to reduce its surface tension and enhance the washing action.

It will be seen that the level of the suds will vary with the physical state of the water depending on its hardness, temperature and so forth, and will also vary with the amount of sudsing material added to the water. It is important that these suds are retained on the surface of the water and are not lost, and the present overflow control will determine the amount of Water permissible within the washing chamber it} regardless of the amount or height of the suds 36 within the chamber. The control of the level of water within the washing chamber 10 is important for both improved washing action and for safeguarding the operating mechanism. If the level of the water is permitted to rise beyond a predetermined level, the efliciency of the washing action will be destroyed, and the water will get in the bearings 18 and may overflow the top of the container 8. it will then flow over the edge of the opening for the door 38, which is provided in the container 8 for inserting and removing the clothes from the drum 12. The drum may also be provided with a door that can be opened and latched for insertion and removal of the clothes through the container door 38.

The operating mechanism, as supported by the container 8, is carried on a base 46, which is provided with legs 42 and 44 to rest upon a floor 46 or other flat surface for supporting the mechanism in an operating location.

A drain line 48 may be provided to drain the washing liquid from the chamber iii after use. The water or washing liquid is admitted into the washing chamber it through a supply line 50, which is controlled by supply valve 52. The supply valve may be of the electrically operated type being supplied electricity through leads 54 which are supplied with a suitable source of electricity controlled by a regulating switch. The-regulating switch may be operated in the manner known to the art by a water level limiting member shown at 56. This limiting member may be in the form of a float operative to control the switch to turn off the supply valve 52 when the water reaches the level illustrated in Figure 1.

In some instances, however, the level control 56 may be inoperative for failure 'ofthe circuit or valve or other reasons which occur. liquid within the washing chamber it) may rise beyond the desired limit for other reasons As previously referred to, the excessive amount of washing liquid is undesirable for reasons of maintaining efflcient Washing operation and to protect the mechanical and electrical elements of the machine.

An overflow control device is provided as illustrated generally at 58 in the drawings. The overflow control device employs an overflow conduit 6h through which the washing fluid or water rises when the level increases 1 to a point above a predetermined desirable limit.

The conduit 60 is attached to the side wall 22 of the container 8 in a leakproof manner. In the form illustrated, the conduit is provided with an annular flange 62 having an annular slot 64 in the outer edge, and this flange is forcibly fitted into a circular opening in the side of the container so that the edge 66 of the opening will be positioned in the slot 64. A sealant material may be provided, if desired, to prevent the escape of suds and washing liquid which would run down the wall 22; of the container.

The conduit 60 leads out of the container 8 into an elbow to extend vertically upright. The conduit then transforms from a first section of smaller diameter 68 to a second section 70 of larger diameter which defines the valve chamber 72. In Figure 2, the larger section of the conduit is formed as a separate member '76 which tapers to a narrow neck portion 74 for insertion into the smaller portion 68 of the conduit.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the upper larger portion is shown at 7% as being integral with the smaller conduit portion 68a. A valve chamber 72a, similar to the valve chamber 72 of Figure 2, is formed by the enlarged conduit portion 7% of Figures 3 and 4. The conduit walls 70 forming the valve chamr ber 72 in Figure 2, may be of metal such as light weight spun aluminum or plastic or the like. The lower elbow portion 68 of the conduit may be of rubber. in Figures 3 and 4 where the unit is integral, the entire portion may be formed of molded rubber.

To reinforce the side walls 70a of the valve chamber 72a in Figures 3 and 4 a circular cap member 76 is provided. The cap 76 may be formed of plastic or metai or the like and has an annular depending flange 78 at its outer edge which extends down over the top edge of the wall 70a of the valve chamber in telesco ing relationship thereto to lend rigidity to the wall. This also holds the cap securely in place. It will be seen that the cap forms a closure for the float chamber 72a preventing the escape of the ball valve titl, which is situated within the chamber. The ball is prevented from escaping when the machine is being shipped or handled or when the control is being assembled on the machine so that the entire control 58 is inverted.

The valve chamber 72a of Figures 3 and 4 is provided Further, the level of the washing 4 with an annular integral discharge conduit 82. This conduit may be suitably connected to other discharge tubing 86, which can be connected thereto by a metal tubular connector sleeve 88.

A discharge conduit similar to 8-2 is provided for the valve chamber 72 of Figure 2 and this discharge conduit is omitted from Figure 2 for simplicity of the drawings.

The ball valve Si is spherical in form and is of a larger diameter than the first section 68a of the conduit 6t and of smaller diameter than the cylindrical valve chamber 72a. The ball valve thus seats against an annular shoulder 9 th: Where the valve chamber 72a joins the conduit section 68a. In the embodiment of Figure 2 the ball valve 8%) seats against a similar shoulder fit? formed at the juncture of the neck 74 of the valve chamber 72.

The ball valve 30 has a smooth cylindrical outer surface and has a density so that it will not be lifted from its seat 90 by the suds 36, but will be forced away from the seat by the pressure of the washing fluid when the level of the fluid reaches a predetermined height above the ball. The ball valve 80 in its preferred form, is solid and formed of glass and will seat firmly against the seat and resist the corrosive action of the materials. The ball may be formed of other substances having the desired specific gravity to be forced away from the seat and permit the escape of water when it reaches a predetermined level. The ball must seat firmly to prevent the escape of suds and to prevent the escape of water before it reaches the predetermined level where the ball will be forced from its seat. A ball having a specific gravity of 2.4 to 2.8 has been found to be advantageous.

Thus, the suds 36, from the soap or detergents can rise to any height within the washing chamber 8 without dislodging the ball valve 80. The valve will remain seated, as shown in Figure 3, and prevent the escape of suds and will also seal the washing chamber 10 preventing the escape of steam and heat. When the Washing fluid rises above the ball to a predetermined level, the ball will be forced off its seat and permit the escape of fluid until the fluid again drops down to said predetermined level whereupon the ball will again seat.

Should the washing fluid within the chamber 10 rise above the predetermined level, it forces the ball 86a (Fig. 3) away from its seat 9%, the fluid will flow into the valve chamber 72a, out through the discharge conduit 82 leading from the valve chamber 72 to flow down through the conduit 86, which leads to a suitable drain. The same action occurs with the arrangement of Fig. 2 having ball valve 80.

The washing liquid will continue to flow out of the washing chamber 10 until the liquid again reaches the predetermined level where the ball was unseated at which time the ball valve will again seat.

Although the overall operation of the mechanism will be clear from the description of the individual elements, a brief summary will be helpful in understanding the attainments and objectives of the invention. For operation of the washing appliance, shown generally at 6 in Figure 1, Washing fluid is admitted through the supply line Si by opening the supply valve 52. When the washing fluid reaches the desired level within the washing chamber 10, the level control 56 will close the valve 52. The washer is then ready to operate and the motor 34 is operated to rotate the washing drum 12 to carry the fabrics or materials in the drum through the washing liquid and suds 36.

Should the height of the liquid in the washing chamber ltl continue to rise until it is above a predetermined level, due to failure of the control 56 or other reasons, it will lift the ball valve 80 off its seat 90 of Figure 2, or ofl seat 90a of Figures 3 and 4. The liquid will then flow out through the discharge conduit 82 to a suitable drain until said predetermined level is again reached.

nsaaaeo At any of the normal operating levels of'the liquid up to said predetermined overflow level, the ball valve 80 will remain on seat 90 or 96a to effectively prevent the escape of suds 36 and gases and steam within the washer.

Thus, it will be seen that we have provided an improved overflow control device for washing machines which meets the objectives and advantages hereinbefore set forth. The control mechanism is well suited to use with washers, especially of the domestic type, and will be operative without adjustment or attention throughout the life of the washer. The control is simple in construction and operation and not subject to corrosive action of the fluids, and if attention is required for the control, the cap 76 may easily be removed for cleaning or replacement of the single moving part.

We have, in the drawings and specification presented a detailed disclosure of the preferred embodiments of our invention, but it is to be understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methods falling within the scope of the principles taught by our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, a valve member in the conduit and an orifice defining member in the conduit against which said valve member seats, said valve member having a density greater than said washing liquid and greater than said suds whereby the valve member is forced away from its seat only when the liquid reaches a predetermined level above the valve member.

2. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, said overflow conduit having a vertically extending length which enlarges from a first section to a second section of increased diameter, and a valve member in said second section having a diameter larger than the first section and smaller than the second section, said valve member having a weight whereby it will be forced away from the first section by the liquid when it reaches a predetermined level and not by said suds to seal the conduit to the escape of suds but to permit the escape of washing liquid when it reaches said predetermined level.

3. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of F the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, a valve chamber formed of a non-rigid material and connected to the overflow conduit, said chamber having an open top rim, a spherical ball valve in the chamber having a weight to be forced to open position to permit the escape of fluid when the water reaches a predetermined level above the valve and to remain closed to prevent the escape of suds regardless of suds level, a cap for the top of the valve chamber having a securing means connecting it to the rim of the chamber and reinforcing said rim preventing the escape of the ball valve, and a discharge conduit leading from the valve chamber to conduct away the overflowing liquid.

4. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain 6* when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, said overflow conduit having a vertically extending length which enlarges from a first section to a second section of increased diameter with an open flow outlet in said second section, a valve member in said second section having a diameter larger than the first section and smaller than the second section, and valve retaining means attached to the second section of the conduit preventing the escape of the valve member when the conduit is inverted.

5. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, said overflow conduit having a vertically extending length which enlarges from a first section to a second section of increased diameter, and a spherical glass ball valve member in said second section of a diameter larger than the first section and smaller than the second section, said glass ball being forced away from the first section by the liquid when it reaches a predetermined level, but not by said suds to seal the conduit to the escape of suds but to permit the escape of washing liquid when it reaches said predetermined level.

6. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an. overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, said overflow conduit having a vertically extending length which enlarges from a first section to a second section of increased diameter, and a spherical valve member in said second section having a diameter larger than the first section and smaller than the second section, said valve member having a specific gravity in the range of 2.4 to 2.8 to be forced away from the first section when the liquid reaches a predetermined level but remaining seated regardless of material in the washing chamber having the density of detergent or soap suds.

7. A Washing appliance with a liquid overflow control comprising a Washing chamber for containing a quantity of Washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, said overflow conduit having a vertically extending length which enlarges from a first section to a second section of inc'eased diameter, a valve member in said second section having a diameter larger than the first section and smaller than the second section, said valve member having a deu sity whereby it will be forced open away from the first section when the liquid reaches a predetermined level above the valve member but not by said suds to seal the conduit to the escape of suds, means for causing relative movement between washing liquid and fabrics to be washed in the chamber to remove soil from the fabrics, a valve controlled liquid supply for the chamber, and a level control responsive to water level in the chamber and operatively attached to said valve to stop the water supply at a predetermined level, said valve member opening to permit the overflow of Washing liquid due to failure of the level control but preventing the escape of said suds.

8. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when said liquid rises above a predetermined level, and valve means including a movable valve in the conduit operable between an open and a closed position and responsive to the level of the liquid reaching a predetermined level and unresponsive to the level of the suds, said valve moving to open position when the washing liquid reaches a pre 7 determined level and remaining in closed position to prevent the escape of suds when the washing liquid is below said predetermined level.

9. A liquid overflow control for a washing appliance comprising a washing chamber for containing a quantity of washing liquid with suds floating on the surface of the liquid, an overflow conduit connected to the chamber at a location to conduct the washing liquid to a drain when the liquid rises above a predetermined level, and valve means including a valve seat in said conduit and a valve member movable between seated and unseated positions on said valve seat to respectively close and open said valve means, said valve member being positioned in said conduit for exposure to the suds and Washing liquid contained within said chamber and having a specific gravity 15 greater than that of the suds and the washing fluid whereby said valve member will be seated on said valve seat at liquid levels below said predetermined level regardless. of the level of the suds within said chamber and will be unseated at liquid levels above said predetermined level to release the washing liquid from said chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kaiser Sept. 22, 1885 2,390,134 Svirsky Dec. 4, 1945 2,621,797 Smith Dec. 16, 1952' FOREIGN PATENTS 739,289 Germany Sept. 18, 1943 

